To5macs Take: Getting To An Esim
Leading up to the iPhone 14 event, there were rumors that Apple was planning to increase its focus on eSIM technology. Itd been rumored that Apple might ditch the physical SIM card altogether, but the announcement still came as a surprise to many people. But keep in mind: Steve Jobs never wanted the iPhone to have a SIM card tray.
For most people, the iPhone 14 eSIM transition should result in an experience thats identical to a physical SIM, if not a better one. It wont be nearly as dramatic of a lifestyle change as the removal of the headphone jack with the iPhone 7 was. The question, of course, is how seamless the process is to get to that point. While Apple has outlined the transition process, there are a number of variables at play.
My biggest concern is this: Could the carriers become overburdened and face activation issues on iPhone 14 launch day? Presumably, transitioning millions of people to eSIM is more burdensome than users simply swapping their SIM card from their old iPhone to their new iPhone.
Remember the days when we had to plug in our iPhones to iTunes to activate them? Apples servers could prove unreliable during this process, but AT& Ts activation process was notoriously finicky. Could eSIM setups and provisioning cause similar headaches?
What do you think of the iPhone 14 only supporting eSIMs in the United States? Is Apple making this change too early? Let us know down in the comments.
Preparing Your Device For Sale
You may need to erase your eSIM, particularly if you choose to assign it to another device or are preparing to trade or sell on your existing iPhone. This is easy to achieve, just open up Settings> Cellular or Mobile Data where you should select the plan you want to get rid of and then choose Delete SIM.
Use Esim Provider Activation On iPhone
Some service providers can assign a new eSIM to your iPhone, making the setup process easy. This usually happens when you purchase a carrier-connected iPhone from Apple in the United States or from a carrier and you provide your mobile-plan details. If an eSIM was assigned to your iPhone when you bought it, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM.
If you’re switching to iPhone , contact your carrier to transfer your phone number to your iPhone through eSIM Carrier Activation or by scanning a QR code from your carrier.
If you contacted your carrier for an eSIM after you set up your iPhone, and they set up eSIM Carrier Activation, follow these steps:
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Set Your Default Number
Choose a number to use when you call or send a message to someone who isn’t in your Contacts app. Choose which cellular plans you want to use for iMessage and FaceTime. With iOS 13 and later, you can choose either or both numbers.
On this screen, choose a number to be your default, or you can choose which number is to be used only for cellular data. Your other number will be your default. If you want your iPhone to use cellular data from both plans, depending on coverage and availability, turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching.
Option : Set Up iPhone 14 With Esim Quick Transfer
In a support document, Apple explains that youll be able to convert your physical SIM to an eSIM during the iPhone 14 setup process. This can be done even if youve never used an eSIM before.
During the setup process, youll be asked to transfer your SIM from your old iPhone to your new iPhone. This is also the process youll use if youre transferring an existing eSIM from your old iPhone to your new iPhone 14.
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Make And Receive Calls
You can make and receive phone calls with either phone number.
With iOS 13 and later, when you’re on a call, if the carrier for your other phone number supports Wi-Fi calling, you can answer incoming calls on your other number. You will need to turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching when you are on a call that isn’t your default data line. Or, if you ignore the call and you have voicemail set up with your carrier, youll get a missed-call notification and the call will go to voicemail. Check with your carrier for Wi-Fi calling availability, and find out if additional fees or data usage applies from your data provider.
If your carrier doesn’t support Wi-Fi calling or you don’t have Wi-Fi calling turned on,1 then when you’re on a call, an incoming call on your other phone number will go to voicemail, if you have voicemail set up with your carrier.2 However, you won’t get a missed-call notification from your secondary number. Call Waiting works for incoming calls on the same phone number. To avoid missing an important call, you can turn on call forwarding and forward all calls from one number to the other. Check with your carrier for availability and to find out if additional fees apply.
1. Or if you’re using iOS 12. Update to iOS 13 or later to receive calls when you’re using your other number. 2. If data roaming is on for the number that uses cellular data, then Visual Voicemail and MMS will be disabled on your voice-only number.
Remove Esim From Settings
You can follow the steps below to remove an eSIM from any iPhone that supports eSIM from iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and above.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Then, tap the option for Cellular or Mobile Data. The option you see will depend on your region.
Then, tap the eSIM plan you want to remove from your phone.
Scroll down in the eSIM details and tap the Delete eSIM or Remove Cellular Plan option.
A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap Delete eSIM from the pop-up to confirm.
Removing an eSIM from your iPhone is easy. But if you wanted to transfer the number to another iPhone, make sure youve set up the eSIM plan on the new iPhone by following these steps before removing the eSIM from the current iPhone.
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How To Erase The Esim On Your iPhone
Learn how to erase your eSIM, if you need to.
You might need to erase your eSIM if:
- You transferred the eSIM’s phone number to another iPhone
- You’re going to sell, trade in, or give away your device
Don’t erase your eSIM as a troubleshooting step unless directed to by your carrier.
If you erase your eSIM, you’ll need to contact your carrier to get a new one. Then set up your new eSIM.
To erase your eSIM:
If you erase all content and settings from your iPhone, you can choose to erase your eSIM as well or keep it.
If you want to cancel your cellular plan, you still need to contact your carrier to cancel the plan.
What Tools You’ll Need
Before you insert a new SIM card into the iPhone SIM tray, make sure 1) the device is completely powered off and 2) you’re using the proper tools.
Avoid using any sharp or jagged tools when attempting to open the tray, you could risk scratching or damaging either the interior, exterior, or functionality of the device. .
Ideally, use the SIM eject tool that was provided with your iPhone. If you don’t happen to have the tool anymore, a paper clip, a dull toothpick, or even an earring will work in its place.
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Let Your iPhone Remember Which Number To Use
When you call one of your contacts, you don’t need to choose which number to use every time. By default, your iPhone uses the same number that you used the last time you called that contact. If you haven’t called that contact, your iPhone uses your default number. If you want to, you can specify which number to use for your calls with a contact. Follow these steps:
How To Remove A Sim Card From Your iPhone
Let’s face it, removing a SIM card from your iPhone can be tricky. It can be especially finicky if you’ve lost your SIM eject tool.
But not to worry, we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- Placing and replacing an iPhone SIM card
- Handling a SIM tray
- Highlighting the difference between a SIM and an eSIM
- Which Apple smartphones and devices support eSIM
- How phone ports and technology are evolving
Let’s get into it:
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Convert A Physical Sim To An Esim On The Same iPhone
You can convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone, if your carrier supports it. Follow these steps:
How To Use Esim Quick Transfer To Transfer Your Line
First, ensure both the old and new iPhones are running iOS 16. Then open Settings> Mobile Data> Add Data Plan. You should see one or more mobile data plans to transfer from another device,” or tap Transfer From Another Device. Youll be provided with instructions on your older device that you must follow to transfer the line, and may be asked for a verification code. Then wait until the transfer takes place. You may receive a message asking you to Finish Setting Up Your Network Provider’s Data Plan. Follow this to be redirected to your network provider’s web page to transfer your eSIM to your new device.
It is important to note that not every carrier supports all the different ways in which to transfer your line.
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Scan A Qr Code Or Use A Network Provider App
If your network provider doesn’t support eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer, you can scan a QR code from your network provider instead.
To activate your eSIM while setting up your iPhone:
To activate your eSIM after you’ve set up your iPhone, contact your network provider to get a QR code. Then, follow these steps:
If you’re asked to enter a confirmation code to activate the eSIM, enter the number that your network provider gave you.
If your network provider supports activating eSIM using an app, download your network provider’s app from the App Store and follow the instructions.
How Can I Remove An Esim From My Ios Device
You can delete the eSIM you will no longer use, or temporarily disable an eSIM, in your devices settings.
To delete an eSIM:
5. You may get the option to Remove eSIM or Delete Mobile Plan, depending on your device
To temporarily disable an eSIM:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact support.
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Apple Devices That Support Esim
We’re constantly expanding our list of compatible devices. This list includes Apple, Android, and other third-party devices. As of writing this in November 2021, the following Apple devices are eSIM compatible for most regions:
- iPad Pro 11âinch
- iPad Pro 11âinch
- iPad Pro 11-inch
- iPad Pro 12.9âinch
- iPad Pro 12.9âinch
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch
Option : Use A Qr Code From Your Carrier
Some carriers dont support what Apple refers to as eSIM Quick Transfer. If this is the case, youll have to scan a QR code from your carrier to activate the eSIM inside your iPhone 14. When you reach the Set up Cellular screen in the iPhone 14 setup process, there will be an option to use a QR code.
This will walk you through the process of scanning the QR code provided by your carrier to activate your iPhone 14s eSIM. The process of getting that QR code will vary from carrier to carrier.
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Activate Esim On Your iPhone:
If you want to use both a physical sim card and an eSim on your iPhone, insert the physical sim card first and then connect to Wi-Fi. Now follow the below steps to activate eSim.
- First, get a QR code from your carrier provider.
- Then open the Settings on your iPhone.
- Select the Cellular/Mobile Data option.
- Here, tap on the Add Data Plan.
- Now scan the QR code provided by your carrier.
- Again, select the Add Cellular Plan to confirm the process.
Thats it. Now your eSim activation is successful.
Change Your Cellular Data Number
One number at a time can use cellular data. To change which number uses cellular data, follow these steps:
If you turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching, then while you’re on a voice call on your voice-only number, that number automatically switches to use voice and data.* This lets you use both voice and data while on the call.
If you turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching and you’re active on a voice number that isn’t your designated cellular-data number, then cellular data won’t work while you’re on the call.
To turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching, follow these steps:
* Your data line switches automatically for the duration of your call. This cellular-data switching will not work if you are currently using Data Roaming. Check with your carrier for availability and to find out if additional fees apply.
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How To Install The Nano
Insert a paper clip or SIM eject tool into the small hole of the SIM card tray, then push in toward iPhone to remove your SIM tray, notice the notch in one corner of the new SIM card. Place the new SIM card into the bottom of the trayit will fit only one way, because of the notch. Then insert the other SIM card into the top tray.
With the two nano-SIM cards in place, insert the SIM tray back into the device completely and in the same orientation that you removed it. The tray fits only one way.
If your SIM cards are protected with a personal identification number , note the positionfront or backof each SIM card in the tray. If asked, carefully enter the PINs for the front SIM card and back SIM card.
How To Delete Or Remove Esim From Apple iPhone
Step 1: Open the Settings application on your Apple iPhone.
Step 2: When the app opens, select the Cellular or Mobile Data option, depending on your region.
Step 3: In the Cellular settings, tap on the eSIM plan that you want to remove from the device.
Step 4: Scroll down towards the button of the eSIM plan and tap on the Delete eSIM or Remove Cellular Plan option.
Step 5: When you get a confirmation prompt on the screen, tap on the Delete eSIM button to confirm.
Thats it. Once you have followed this above-mentioned step-by-step guide, then you have successfully removed the selected eSIM card from your Apple iPhone. If you are planning to transfer your eSIM plan to another device, then make sure that you set up the eSIM plan on another device before removing it from the current iPhone.
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Using Dual Sim With Two Nano
In China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, certain iPhone models feature Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards. This gives you two phone numbers to make and receive calls and text messages.
If you have an iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE , or an iPhone XS in Hong Kong or Macao, learn how to use Dual SIM with an eSIM.
Here are a few of the many ways you can use Dual SIM:
- Use one number for business and another number for personal calls.
- Add a local data plan when you travel outside of the country or region.
- Have separate voice and data plans.
Both of your phone numbers can make and receive voice and FaceTime calls and send and receive messages using iMessage SMS and MMS.* Your iPhone can use one cellular data network at a time.
* This uses Dual SIM Dual Standby technology, which means that both SIMs can make and receive calls.